Vijayadashami 2026: MP CM Mohan Yadav leads Shastra Pujan at Indore Police Lines
Synopsis
On Vijayadashami, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav turned a ceremonial weapons-worship event into a policing policy platform — announcing 18,500 police vacancies, launching a citizen-facing 'Police Setu' app, and flagging off 51 motorcycles for Indore traffic safety, all in a single sitting at Indore Police Lines.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav led the Shastra Pujan at Indore Police Lines on Vijayadashami, 20 October .
The state government announced plans to fill 18,500 vacant posts in the police department over the next two years.
A broader recruitment drive covering 85,000 posts across government departments is already underway.
The 'Police Setu' app was launched to help citizens locate and directly contact their local police station and duty officers.
51 motorcycles were handed over to Indore Police under the Ideal Traffic Safe City project, funded by Honda India Foundation via CSR.
Police bands will be set up in every district, requiring recruitment of 750 personnel ; next year to be observed as Youth Year .
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on 20 October participated in the traditional Shastra Pujan ceremony at the Indore Police Lines on the occasion of Vijayadashami, performing ritual worship of both traditional and modern weapons amid Vedic chants. The event combined cultural observance with a series of policing and public-safety announcements, including a pledge to fill 18,500 vacant posts in the state police department.
Ceremony and Rituals
Chief Minister Yadav worshipped traditional weapons — including swords and spears — alongside modern arms such as AK-47 rifles. He also performed Kanya Pad Pujan, inspected the armoury, and offered prayers at police vehicles and horses. A guard of honour was presented by the women police contingent, underscoring the growing role of women in Madhya Pradesh's law enforcement.
What the Chief Minister Said
Addressing the gathering, Yadav said that Shastra Pujan is a symbol of India's Sanatan culture, valour, strength, and commitment to duty. He added that carrying arms is not merely a display of power, but a responsibility to alleviate the sufferings of society, protect citizens, and maintain order.
Drawing on the message of Vijayadashami — the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravana and Goddess Durga's slaying of Mahishasura — he said the festival conveys the eternal victory of dharma over adharma. He also invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, saying India is advancing towards a golden future drawing inspiration from its glorious past.
Key Announcements
The Chief Minister announced that the state government will fill 18,500 vacant posts in the police department over the next two years. A broader drive to fill 85,000 posts across various government departments is already underway. He further stated that next year will be observed as Youth Year, with the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission conducting special examinations for young applicants.
To enhance the presence of police at cultural events, police bands will be developed in every district of the state, requiring the recruitment of 750 personnel. Yadav also launched the 'Police Setu' app, which enables citizens to access information about their local police station, identify duty officers, and contact them directly based on their location.
Traffic Safety and Anti-Drug Initiatives
The Chief Minister flagged off 51 motorcycles provided to Indore Police under the Ideal Traffic Safe City project, funded by Honda India Foundation through CSR contributions. He also released a road-safety awareness poster, and a short film prepared by Indore Police on its anti-drug awareness initiatives was screened at the event.
Who Was Present
The event was attended by Water Resources Minister Tulsi Ram Silawat, Member of Parliament Shankar Lalwani, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, several members of the legislative assembly, Commissioner of Police Santosh Kumar Singh, and other senior officials. With recruitment drives, a new citizen-facing app, and traffic safety measures all announced on the same day, the Vijayadashami ceremony served as a wide-ranging platform for state policing priorities heading into the new year.
Point of View
500 police vacancies at a weapons-worship ceremony — rather than a budget session or press conference — signals that the Yadav government is leaning on Hindu festival optics to amplify governance messaging. The 'Police Setu' app is a useful civic tool, but the larger question is whether the 85,000-post recruitment drive across departments will meet its two-year timeline, given Madhya Pradesh's historically slow cadence on public-sector hiring. Youth Year and MPPSC special exams are aspirational commitments that will need institutional follow-through to translate into real employment relief.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shastra Pujan and why was it held at Indore Police Lines?
Shastra Pujan is a traditional Hindu ritual, observed on Vijayadashami, in which weapons are worshipped as symbols of strength, valour, and duty. It was organised at the Indore Police Lines to honour the role of law enforcement and connect the occasion to the cultural significance of the festival.
How many police vacancies did MP CM Mohan Yadav announce?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced that the Madhya Pradesh government will fill 18,500 vacant posts in the police department over the next two years. A broader drive to fill 85,000 posts across various state government departments is already in progress.
What is the 'Police Setu' app launched by Mohan Yadav?
'Police Setu' is a citizen-facing mobile application launched by the Madhya Pradesh government that allows users to access information about their nearest police station, identify duty officers, and contact them directly based on location.
What is the Ideal Traffic Safe City project in Indore?
The Ideal Traffic Safe City project is a road-safety initiative under which 51 motorcycles were provided to Indore Police, funded by Honda India Foundation through corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions. The project aims to strengthen traffic enforcement and road safety in Indore.
What other announcements were made at the Vijayadashami event in Indore?
Apart from the police recruitment pledge, CM Yadav announced that police bands will be developed in every district requiring 750 new personnel, declared next year as Youth Year with special MPPSC examinations, and screened an anti-drug awareness film produced by Indore Police.
